Maryland Senate Passes Response to Federal Tax Overhaul

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)- A measure to increase standard tax deductions has passed the Maryland Senate as part of the state's response to the federal tax overhaul.

The unanimous vote Wednesday sends the bill to the House.

The measure increases the standard tax deduction by $500 for individuals and $1,000 for couples for three years. The deduction will go from $2,000 to $2,500 for individuals and $4,000 to $5,000 for joint filers.

Lawmakers say it aims to bring some relief to middle class residents who will face higher state taxes due to changes in the federal tax overhaul.

Lawmakers also decided to retain some of the extra tax money the state will gain to create a $200 million fund to pay for future education costs. That provision is in the state budget bill.

DOVER, Del. --- Soon you may be reaching for your phone, rather than a wallet, when someone asks for your driver's license. Delaware is currently running a six-month pilot program for mobile driver's licenses, which would be available on smartphones. PartMore

DOVER, Del. --- Soon you may be reaching for your phone, rather than a wallet, when someone asks for your driver's license. Delaware is currently running a six-month pilot program for mobile driver's licenses, which would be available on smartphones. PartMore

About 1,700 Delaware state employees were paid over $100,000 in 2017, including big names like Gov. John Carney and Chief Justice Leo Strine Jr., but also many police officers and school employees.More

About 1,700 Delaware state employees were paid over $100,000 in 2017, including big names like Gov. John Carney and Chief Justice Leo Strine Jr., but also many police officers and school employees.More

Authorities investigate after at least 25 dead horses were found on a rural property in Wicomico County, Maryland Friday morning. Lt. Tim Robinson of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said around 11 a.m., the Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Wicomico County Animal Control, began an investigation into the report of the presence of deceased horses on the property outside of Hebron.

Authorities investigate after at least 25 dead horses were found on a rural property in Wicomico County, Maryland Friday morning. Lt. Tim Robinson of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said around 11 a.m., the Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Wicomico County Animal Control, began an investigation into the report of the presence of deceased horses on the property outside of Hebron.

More details have emerged on a horrific story in Wicomico County. Wicomico County Animal Control and sheriff's deputies were at a Hebron farm Saturday to begin removing horses and to investigate animal cruelty. This comes after authorities found over one hundred live horses and twenty-five dead on the property. WBOC's Caroline Coles reports.

More details have emerged on a horrific story in Wicomico County. Wicomico County Animal Control and sheriff's deputies were at a Hebron farm Saturday to begin removing horses and to investigate animal cruelty. This comes after authorities found over one hundred live horses and twenty-five dead on the property. WBOC's Caroline Coles reports.

The Maryland State Highway Administration says it is preparing for a nor’easter that could produce accumulating snow, high winds and flooding in low-lying areas. Crews pretreated highways and bridges in northern counties in advance of the storm.More

The Maryland State Highway Administration says it is preparing for a nor’easter that could produce accumulating snow, high winds and flooding in low-lying areas. Crews pretreated highways and bridges in northern counties in advance of the storm.More

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis tells WBOC one of the horses was removed Friday afternoon, but because of the horse's conditions, the horse was euthanized and taken to Delaware for a neocropsy.More

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis tells WBOC one of the horses was removed Friday afternoon, but because of the horse's conditions, the horse was euthanized and taken to Delaware for a neocropsy. More